2019

Renewable Energy for Remote Communities Program

Delivered by Coast Funds and the Fraser Basin Council under the CleanBC Plan

As part of CleanBC, the Province of B.C.’s Renewable Energy for Remote Communities (RERC) Program will assist remote communities in B.C. to reduce their reliance on diesel by funding the capital costs of renewable electricity projects. The program is designed to complement other initiatives that assist remote communities as they undertake energy planning, increase energy efficiency, and decarbonize their energy systems.

Program Overview

The RERC Program is a key part of the Province’s Remote Community Energy Strategy (RCES), announced in the CleanBC Plan. The Strategy targets the 22 largest diesel generating stations in B.C. and aims to reduce province-wide diesel consumption for generating electricity in remote communities by 80 per cent by 2030.

On behalf the Province, the Fraser Basin Council and Coast Funds will provide up to $16.5 million to remote communities to develop renewable electricity projects. Coast Funds is responsible for delivering the RERC Program with First Nations located in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii regions. The Fraser Basin Council is responsible for delivering the RERC Program with all other remote communities in B.C.

Program Purpose

The goal of the program is to facilitate the displacement of diesel electricity generation by constructing renewable electricity generation projects that decarbonize remote energy systems and by enhancing social and economic resilience in remote communities that are diesel-dependent. The program will support renewable electricity projects by funding construction activities such as engineering, contract labour, equipment for project construction, training, technology procurement, and associated materials.

Program Details

Program details will be announced in December 2019. Please see our Funding Guide to read more details about our eligible projects, minimum requirements, key criteria in determining funding decisions, project application requirements, and review and approval process.

FUNDING GUIDE

How to Apply

The Fraser Basin Council will support First Nations and local governments through a highly collaborative application process, reflecting the belief that sustainable change is achieved through partnership and empowerment.

We welcome the submission of Expressions of Interest by 11:59 pm (PST) on December 13, 2019 for applicants who wish to get feedback on their project proposal before the final application. Although the submission of an Expression of Interest is not mandatory, we strongly encourage applicants to do so in order to ensure that their application is on the right track. Complete final applications are due by 11:59 pm (PST) on January 17, 2020.

Submitting an Expression of Interest

To submit an Expression of Interest, please complete, save and submit the Stage 1: Project Summary section (on pages 1-3) of the Project Funding Application Form (PDF).

NOTE: USE ADOBE READER TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM: You must first download and save the application form to your computer. Then open the form using the free Adobe Reader (downloadable here from Adobe) to be able to fill in your information and save it. DO NOT fill out the form in your browser window because you will not be able to save your information.

We will review your project summary and discuss the project with you. If your project is eligible, we can assist you to develop a final application.

 Project Funding Application Form (PDF)

Submitting a Final Application

To submit the final application, please complete, save and submit the Stage 2: Project Funding Application section of the Project Funding Application Form (PDF).

All submissions must be made to:

Jim Vanderwal
Senior Program Manager, Climate Change & Air Quality
E: 

RERC Eligible Communities

The RERC program will be administered by the Fraser Basin Council for these communities.

Anahim Lake - Cariboo Regional District

Bull Harbour - Tlatlasikwala First Nation

Elhlateese - Uchucklesaht Tribe Government

Firvale - Central Coast Regional District

Fort Ware - Kwadacha First Nation

Good Hope Lake - Dease River First Nation

Hagensborg - Central Coast Regional District 

Hot Springs Cove - Hesquiaht First Nation

Jade City

Kluskus Lake - Lhoosk’uz Dené

Nimpo Lake - Cariboo Regional District

Sandspit - North Coast Regional District

Telegraph Creek - Tahltan Nation

Tlell - North Coast Regional District

Toad River - Northern Rockies Regional Municipality

Tsay Keh Dene Nation

Village of Masset

Village of Port Clements

Village of Queen Charlotte

Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government

The RERC program will be administered by Coast Funds for these communities.

Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala

Dzawada’enuxw

Gitga’at

Gwawaeneuk

Haida

Heiltsuk

Kitasoo/Xai’Xais

Kwikwasut’inux Haxwa’mis

Nuxalk

Ulkatcho

Wuikinuxv

Contacts

For communities where the program is administered by Coast Funds: please visit the Coast Funds website for more information contacts.

For communities where the program is administered by the Fraser Basin Council: please contact:

Jim Vanderwal
Senior Program Manager, Climate Change & Air Quality
C: 604 897-5350 | E:

Eliana Chia
Program Lead, Climate Change & Energy Resilience
T: 604 488-5377 | E: 

Learn about additional clean energy funding programs available for communities on the Province of BC's List of Funding Opportunities for Clean Energy Projects Led by First Nations and Local Governments.